Automatic control for ignition-devices.



l.- T. RHOADES.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR IGNITION DEVICES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1915.

1 167,839, Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

a-nuawtoz L. T. RHOADES.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR IGNITION DEVICES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1915.

1,167,839. Patented Jan.11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

as I 45 a5 avwudoz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS T. RH OADES, OF MONT CLARE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO NEW YORK COIL COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR IGNITION DEVICES.

1 167 839 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

Application filed March 6, 1915. Serial No. 12,531. To all 107mm itma z concern: ;.,static device, thus totally dispensing with Be it known that 1, Lewis T. RHOADES, a, all wear and noise which is of the greatestcitizen of the United States, residing at importance in this art. Mont Clare, in the county of Montgomery With these and other objects in view, the and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Controls for Ignition Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic controls for ignition devices, the object of the invention being to provide means which automatically opens the elec tric circuit when the instrument stops with the contact points together and the circuit closed from the battery, thereby preventing the induction coil from becoming damaged and at the same time preventing a great waste of the battery current. I accomplish this improved result by means of a thermostatic device consisting of two dissimilar metals around which is wound several turns of resistance wire included in the main circuit of the primary of the induction coil as well as the contact points of the igniter. Under ordinary working conditions, when. the engine is in operation, the amount of current flowing is insuffioient to cause this resistance wire to become heated, but should the device stop in contact, the amount of current flowing greatly increases with the result that the resistance wire becomes sufliciently heated to cause the metallic thermostat to expand in one direction, which allows a pair of contacts included in series in the main circuit to separate, thus opening the circuit. Immediately upon the engine being turned over, means carried on the revolving part of the shaft causes the contacts to be brought together, restablishing the connections, in which position they remain as long as the engine is being operated or until such time as the operator neglects to properly switch off the electric current.

\Vith my improvements, it will be noted that both the opening of the circuit and, the reestablishing of the same is entirely automatic, and that the contacts are held together in a positive manner and are not afi'ected by vibration.

It will still further be evident that the means for re-setting the device is in action only at the instant of re-setting the contacts, and that the means employed for this purpose after the instant of setting does not come into actual contact with the thermoof construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section partly in elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section on the line 3-3 of F ig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view in elevation illustrating the contacts controlled by the thermostat. Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section illustrating the adjusting screw of the thermostat. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is an exaggerated view in transverse section through the thermostat and the heating coil thereon.

While, of course, my improved device part may be vertical and another horizontal, for convenience of description, I shall hereinafter assume the parts to be in the position indicated on the drawings.

1 represents a casing in which a supporting plate 2 is located having a central opening 3, in which a collar 4 on a sleeve 5 is mounted to turn. The sleeve 5 is supported upon a reduced portion 6 of time shaft 7.

A cross bar 8 is secured to the time shaft at the juncture of its larger and smaller diameters, and on this cross bar 8, a pin 9 is secured and engages in a recess 10 in a head 11 on the lower end of sleeve walls of this recess 10 are curved or at an angle, so that they operate as cam surfaces and when the head 11 and sleeve 5 are turned independently of the time shaft, the sleeve 5 will be caused to move longitudinally by reason of the cam action of the pin 9 against the wall of the recess 10.

A rotary cam member 12 is secured to the sleeve 5 above the collar 4, and is provided on its periphery with a series of cams 13 adapted to contact with the cam 14 on the face of a circuit breaker arm 15, and a rotary wiper 16 is provided on plate 2 which main tains the cams 13 clean and free from particles of any sort. The circuit breaker arm invention consists in certain novel features may be located at any position so that one 5. The

15 is secured my; block 17 having r otaryu mounting in a bracket 18 on plate 2, and a coiled spring 19 connects the bracket with the arm to normally hold the arm against a stop 20 on plate 2, and maintain the contact 21 carried by spring tongue 20 on arm 15 away from stationary contact 22, which latter may form the part of a binding post 23 as clearly shown. V

The bar 8 above referred to supports a centrifugal governor which comprises two relatively heavy arms 24 which are pivotally supported on pins 25 secured to the respec tive ends of bar 8. These arms 24 are prov vided at their pivoted ends with relatively fiat fingers 26, having recesses 27 therein to receive pins 23 on the head 11 of sleeve 5, and cause the head to turn when the armsare thrown outward by the centrifugal force. Extensions 29 are provided on the fingers 26 which are in position to engage the sleeve 5 and limit the pivotal movement of the governor arms, and coiled springs 30 connect the arms 24 and resist the outward throw of the arms as will be readily understood.

The cam 14 on arm 15 is widest at itsup per end, and tapers to a point near its lower end, and the length of contact is determined by the position of the can'member 12 on the time shaft, and this position is controlled by the governor arms 24 in accordance with the speed of the engine. 7

To hold the rotary cam member in its lowered position, and return it to such position, I provide a coiled spring 32 located around the reduced end 6 of time shaft 7, and between a fixed collar 33 and the rotary cam member, exerting a constant pressure on the latter, and normally holding the same at its position for lowestspeed.

A supporting plate 34 is secured in the.

bar 40. WVhen the thermostat 40 is caused to move, it releases the free end of arm 37, and upper spring contact 35, elevates the arm37 to separate the contacts 35 and 36 to open the electric circuit. This upward movement of arm 37 is limited by a finger 42 on the thermostat, which operatesas a stop and below said finger, the end of the thermostat is inclined as shown at 43 to guide the end of arm 37 back intothe notch 39, when the arm is pressed downwardly.

A post 44 of insulating material is supported on the arm 37 within a sleeve 45.

arm, and at its lower end operates to insulate the arm 37 from contact 35. The upper end of the post is rounded or beveled as shown, and is adaptedwhen the arm 37 is elevated to be engaged by a lug 46 projecting from the lower face of bar 8, and forcev the arm 37 downwardly into its normal po-' sition closing the contacts.

By reason of the beveled or inclining walls of the notch 39, and" thesharp end of arm 37, the arm is caused to move downwardly a greater distance than is imparted by the lug 46, so that the lug gives the arm its initial downward movement, and the beveled wall of the notch completes such movement,

whereby the post 44 is held'in a lower plane than the lug 46,'and there is no contact of the lug andpost during the ordinary operat1on of the mechanism.

I The thermostat 4O constitutes a curved bar composed of two strips ofdifierent metals, and at one end is secured to a block 47 pivotally'connected by a pin 48 to supporting plate 34. A coiled spring 49 connects the block 47 with the plate 34, and exerts aconstant pressure on the thermostat to hold the same ad acent its free end against an up;

right 50 on plate 34.

An adjusting screw 51 is supported in a post 52 on plate 34, and bears against the thermostat adjacent its pivotal end,and by means of the adjustment of'this screw, the movement required of the thermostat to release arm 37, can be controlled. This is desirable for various climates, and for different seasons of the year, and hencel would have it understood that my invention is designed to cover my improvements with this idea of adjustment in View.

Around the thermostat, I locate a resistance coil 53 which may or may not be covered with asbestos or other material 54, and I electrically connect one end of this coil with a binding post 55, the wire incased in an insulating tube 56. The other end of the resistance coil I connect by a wire 57 with contact 36, so that the resistance coil is in the normal circuit, and in series. Under ordinary running conditions, the resistance coil 53 cannot become heated because the current supplied to the induction coil is only sufficient for the spark.

lVhen the instrument stops with the con-.

tact points together, the amount of current flowing greatly increases, because of the fact that the induction coil is thoroughly saturated, and the resistance coil 53 heats the thermostat, causing the latter to straighten sufficiently to release the arm 37 as above described, thereby automatically opening the circuit. When the engine is turned over, the lug 46 engaging post 44 forces the arm 37 downwardly to its normal position, and the contacts are closed automatically to allow .This. post44 extends above and below the V the engine to start. It will therefore be noted that with my improvements, the current cannot be wasted even though the oper-' ator fails to properly switch ofl? the current, and the contact points are together when the engine stops. It will also be noted that the operation is entirely automatic both in opening and closing the circuit, and that the mechanism can be adjusted to operate under any desired conditions of temperature.

WVhile I have described a particular construction of timer having a centrifugal governor which forms the subject matter of an application for patent executed on even date herewith, I would have it understood that my invention is not limited to any part1cular construction of timer, but may be used in connection with any ordinary type.

I would have it understood that my invention is notlimited to the particular construction of thermostat or heater, as I may variously construct the thermostat and variously locate the heater, and have illustrated the particular construction as I believe the same to be a preferred embodiment of my nvention.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an ignition device for internal combustion engines, the combination with a timer, of a thermostat normally maintaining a closed electric-circuit and constructed to open the electric circuit when the device stops with the timer contacts together, substantially as described.

2. In an ignition device for internal combustion engines, the combination with a timer, of a thermostat normally maintaining a. closed electric circuit and constructed to open the electric circuit when the device stops with the timer contacts together, and means for closing the circuit when the device is started, substantially as described.

3. In an ignition device for internal combustion engines, the combination with a timer, of a thermostat normally maintaining a closed'electric circuit and constructed to open the electric circuit when the device stops with the timer contacts together, and mechanical means for closing the circuit when the device is started, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a timer, of spring contacts normally together, and included in an electric circuit with the timer, a thermostat normally holding the spring contacts together and constructed to permit the contacts to separate when the timer stops with its contacts together, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a timer, of spring contacts normally together, and included in an electric circuit with the timer, a thermostat constructed to separate the contacts when the timer stops with its contacts together, and means for moving said thermostatic controlled contacts together when the timer moves, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a timer, of spring contacts normally together, and included in an electric circuit with the timer, a thermostat constructed to separate the contacts when the timer stops with its contacts together, and mechanical means for moving said thermostatic controlled contacts together when the timer moves, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a timer, of spring contactsnormally together, and included in an electric circuit with the timer, a thermostat comprising a curved bar of dissimilar metals having a notch in one end, a pivotally supported arm normally holding the contacts together and its free end positioned in the notch of the thermostat, and adapted to be released when the thermostat moves to permit the contacts to separate, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a timer, of spring contacts normally together, and included in an electric circuit with the timer, a thermostat comprising a curved bar of dissimilar metals having a notch in one end, a pivotally supported arm normally holding the contacts together and its free end positioned in the notch of the thermostat, and adapted to be released when the thermostat moves to permit the contacts to separate, and mechanical means for moving the arm back into notch of the thermostat when the timer moves, substantially as described.

9'. In an ignition device for internal com:

bustion engines, the combination with a timer, of a thermostat normally maintaining a closed electric circuit and constructed to open the electric circuit when the device stops with the timer contacts together, and a resistance coil included in electric circuitwith the said contacts, and located in proximity to the thermostat, substantially as described.

10. In an ignition device for internal combustion engines, the combination with a timer, of a thermostat normally maintaining a closed electric circuit and constructed to open the electric circuit when the device stops with the timer contacts together, means for closing the circuit when the device is started, and a resistance coil included in electric circuit with the said contacts, and located in proximity to the thermostat, substantially as described.

11. Inan ign'ition device for internal com bustion' engines, the combination with a' timer, of a thermostat normally maintaining a closed electric circuit and constructedto cluded in an electric circuit with the timer, a-

thermostat normally holding the spring contacts together and constructed to permit the contacts to separate when the timer stops with its contacts together, and a resistance coil included in electric circuit with the said 7 contacts, and located in proximity to the thermostat, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a timer, of

spring contacts normally together, and in-' cluded in an electric circuit with the timer, a

thermostat constructed to separate the con-- tacts when the timer stops with'its contacts together, means for moving said thermostatic controlled contacts together when the timer moves, and a. resistance (3011 included in electric circuit with the said contacts, and.

located in proximity to the thermostat, substantially as described. Y I

.14. The combination -with a timer, of

s rin contacts normall to ether and'included in an electric circuit with the timer, a thermostat constructed to separate the con-* tacts when the timer stops with its contacts together, mechanical means for moving said thermostatic controlled contacts together when the timer moves, and a resistance COll included in electric circuit with the said contacts, and locatedin proximity to the thermostat, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a timer, or

spring contacts normally together, and included in an electric circuit with the timer a thermostat comprising a curved bar of dis-- similar metals having av notch in one end, pivotally supported arm normally holding the contacts together-and its free end positioned in the notch of the thermostat, andadapted to be released when the thermostat:

moves to permit the contacts to separate, and a resistance COll included 1n electric circuit with the said contacts, and located in proX- imity to the thermostat, substantially as described.

-16. The combination with a timer, of

spring contacts normally together, and included in an electric circuit with the timer, 1

a thermostat comprising a curved bar of dissimilar metals having a notch in one end, a pivotally supported arm normally holding the contacts together and its free end positioned in the notch ofthe thermostat, and adapted to be released when the thermostat moves to permit the contacts to separate, mechanical means for moving the arm back into notch of the thermostat when the timer moves, and a resistance coil included in electric circuit with the said contacts, and located in proximityto the thermostat, substantially as described.

17. The combination with a timer, of a pairof spring contacts included in an electric circuit with the timer, a pivoted arm normally holding the contacts together, a thermostat comprising a curved bar of two metals pivotally supported at one end, a spring engaging the thermostat and'holding the same adjacent its free end against a fixed part, said thermostat at its free end having a notch receiving the arm and holding the contacts together, and a heater included in series with the contacts and the timer and adapted to heat the thermostat causing the same to straighten and release the arm, allowing the contacts to separate when the contacts of the timer remain together, sub stantially as described.

18. The combination with a timer, of a pair of spring contacts incl'uded in an electric circuit with the timer, a pivoted arm normally holding the contacts together, a thermostat comprising a curved bar oftwo metals pivotally supported at one end, a spring engaging the thermostat and holding the same adjacent its free end against a fixed part, said thermostat at its free end having a. notch receiving the arm and holding the contacts together, a heater included in series with the contacts and the'timer andadapted to heat the thermostat, causing the same'to straighten and release the arm, allowing the contacts to separate when the contacts ofthe timer remain together, a finger on the thermostat limiting the upward'movement of the arm, a post on the arm, and a lug on the timer adapted to engage the post and move the contacts together, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ewis T. ,RHoADnsZ- Witnesses: V i V V RUTH JOHANSEN, V BETSEY TRoMPn'rER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. i i i 

